President Biden has delivered his final address to the United Nations, touching on conflicts worldwide. Meanwhile, the Justice Department (DOJ) has sided with the U.N. in defending its relief agency for Palestinians, UNRWA, against a lawsuit alleging involvement in terrorist attacks.
United States President Joe Biden has delivered his final address to the United Nations General Assembly, where he addressed ongoing conflicts and global challenges. In his speech, Biden emphasized the importance of diplomacy, cooperation, and the rule of law.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has taken a controversial stance by siding with the United Nations in defending its relief agency for Palestinians, UNRWA, against a lawsuit accusing it of aiding and abetting terrorist attacks.
Biden Addresses U.N., DOJ Defends UN Relief Agency Accused of Hamas Ties
The lawsuit, filed by victims and families of the October 7 terrorist attacks in Israel, alleges that UNRWA knowingly provided support to Hamas, the Palestinian militant group responsible for the massacre. The plaintiffs claim that UNRWA facilitated the construction of Hamas command centers, permitted weapons storage on its premises, and concealed rocket-launching materials.
UNRWA and the United Nations have argued that the lawsuit should be dismissed due to immunity granted under the charter between the U.S. and the U.N. The Justice Department has supported this argument, stating that "the United States acknowledges and deplores the profound losses suffered on October 7," but that "the United Nations is absolutely immune from suit and legal process absent an express waiver of immunity."
Biden Addresses U.N., DOJ Defends UN Relief Agency Accused of Hamas Ties
However, critics argue that UNRWA's alleged involvement in the attacks goes beyond its official functions and that it should be held accountable. Mark Goldfeder, director of the National Jewish Advocacy Center, said that DOJ's brief "makes a lot of assumptions" and exhibits a "lack of appetite on behalf of the executive branch to go after supporters of terror."
Goldfeder argues that the lawsuit contains numerous allegations that individual defendants aided and abetted Hamas, and that these actions cannot be considered within the scope of UNRWA's official duties.
Biden Addresses U.N., DOJ Defends UN Relief Agency Accused of Hamas Ties
Anne Bayefsky, president of Human Rights Voices and Director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust, expressed concern that the DOJ's position contributes to "unaccountability" for UNRWA and its employees. She questioned whether aiding and abetting a terrorist organization can be considered part of UNRWA's official mandate.
The lawsuit against UNRWA has raised serious questions about the agency's operations and its alleged connections to Hamas. The outcome of the case will have significant implications for the accountability of international organizations and the protection of civilians from terrorism.
Biden Addresses U.N., DOJ Defends UN Relief Agency Accused of Hamas Ties
UNRWA and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York have not responded to requests for comment.
